Best Time to See Owls in Arizona
May, April and June is the best time to see owls in Arizona. Based on 7,515 verified iNaturalist observations, here is exactly when owls are most active across the year in Arizona.
By Tim, founder of Easy Street Markets. I maintain the wildlife database and verify every animal and source myself. Updated June 28, 2026.
Elf Owl · Cole Wolf CC BY
Mexican Spotted Owl · Dan Vickers CC BY
Whiskered Screech-Owl · Millie Basden CC BY
7,515 verified observations of owls in Arizona, recorded across 12 months of the year on iNaturalist.
When owls are recorded in Arizona
Peak month
May
1,118 records (14.9% of the year)
| Month | Observations | Share |
|---|---|---|
| January | 585 | 7.8% |
| February | 457 | 6.1% |
| March | 669 | 8.9% |
| Aprilpeak | 1,055 | 14% |
| Maypeak | 1,118 | 14.9% |
| Junepeak | 789 | 10.5% |
| July | 663 | 8.8% |
| August | 585 | 7.8% |
| September | 391 | 5.2% |
| October | 401 | 5.3% |
| November | 338 | 4.5% |
| December | 464 | 6.2% |
Owls you are most likely to see
| Species | Verified observations |
|---|---|
| Great Horned Owl | 3,321 |
| Burrowing Owl | 1,020 |
| Western Screech-Owl | 1,014 |
| Elf Owl | 412 |
| Spotted Owl | 375 |
| American Barn Owl | 325 |
| Whiskered Screech-Owl | 292 |
| Northern Pygmy-Owl | 262 |
Weather to expect, source Open-Meteo
Typical weather in Arizona
Recent typical conditions by month, so you can plan a trip around both when owls are active and what the weather is doing. The best months to look for owls sit around 49 to 88 degrees Fahrenheit, so pack for that.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 52°F | 34°F | 1.9" |
| Feb | 52°F | 34°F | 1.9" |
| Mar | 58°F | 39°F | 2.7" |
| Aprbest time | 71°F | 49°F | 0.2" |
| Maybest time | 77°F | 56°F | 0.3" |
| Junbest time | 88°F | 66°F | 0.3" |
| Jul | 91°F | 72°F | 2.7" |
| Aug | 88°F | 70°F | 2.2" |
| Sep | 84°F | 64°F | 1.4" |
| Oct | 73°F | 52°F | 0.6" |
| Nov | 63°F | 43°F | 1.5" |
| Dec | 53°F | 36°F | 2" |
Typical recent conditions (5-year means) from the Open-Meteo archive, averaged for Arizona. Weather varies year to year, so treat these as a guide.
Sightings of owls in Arizona peak in May, when 1,118 of the year's 7,515 verified observations are logged — about 14.9% of the annual total. Activity stays high through May, April and June.
The quietest stretch is November, September and October, when owls are hardest to find — November sees just 338 records. If a reliable sighting matters, plan around the peak window rather than the off-season.
The owls you are most likely to encounter in Arizona are Great Horned Owl, Burrowing Owl and Western Screech-Owl — the most-recorded species in the state. Each keeps its own seasonal rhythm, but the month-by-month pattern above reflects every reported sighting together.
Where to go
Best places to see owls in Arizona
- Chiricahua National Monument — National Monument
- Coronado National Memorial — National Memorial
- Fort Bowie National Historic Site — National Historic Site
- Grand Canyon National Park — National Park
- Lake Mead National Recreation Area — National Recreation Area
- Montezuma Castle National Monument — National Monument
Gear to see them
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to see owls in Arizona?+
May is the single best month, and the broader peak window runs through May, April and June, based on 7,515 verified iNaturalist observations.
When are owls hardest to see in Arizona?+
November is the quietest month for owls in Arizona, with only 338 verified records.
Are owls active year-round in Arizona?+
Owls are recorded in 12 of 12 months in Arizona, so they can be seen year-round, with a clear peak in May.
More places to see owls
More wildlife in Arizona